Watchdog uncovers Currys order 'fraud' - including in Wrexham

Watchdog investigated Currys - including the case of Andrew in Wrexham. <i>(Image: PA/BBC)</i>
Watchdog investigated Currys - including the case of Andrew in Wrexham. (Image: PA/BBC)
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Watchdog's latest investigation saw them uncover a nationwide issue with Currys orders - including at their Wrexham store.

Watchdog, which features on The One Show, consists of journalistic investigations into consumer complaints.

It's latest segment on Wednesday (September 16) saw Nick Stapleton look into an issue with Currys, after hearing from customers that they hadn’t received what they had ordered.

Featured on the episode was a man called Andrew from Wrexham who had paid £2,700 for an Apple MacBook from Currys.

He ordered one in black, but a silver one arrived. It also had old sticker marks on – signs, he felt showed that, it had been used.

He reported it to Currys and was instructed to send it back. Upon receiving the replacement, he took it to Currys and filmed them opening it. Inside was the same laptop he had returned three weeks earlier.

He asked for a refund, but it was rejected.

Andrew said: "I'm just astonished really at their reaction and their treatment."

Watchdog later discovered that Andrew's warranty had been activated 19 days before he bought it.

And, it wasn't just Andrew who was affected by this either.

Lucy bought an iPhone for £750 from Currys Carlisle, but inside the package was a fake phone. She attempted to return it twice, but each time, she received the exact same dummy handset. Currys refused to refund her. She managed to get her money back from her bank.

Lee in Aldershot bought a £3,300 Apple MacBook from Currys. Upon opening it, he found two bags of rice. Lee contacted Apple, which told him the 12-month warranty had been activated on the device 16 days before he bought it. However, Currys refused to reopen the complaint.

Watchdog found cases like this across the UK, disproving the theory this might be the work of one bad actor. The evidence indicated retail fraud, where criminals switch out high-value tech for low-value substitutes before returning them.

The fraud goes undetected by Currys which sells these items on.

When Watchdog put their allegations to Currys, it said it serves millions of customers in-store and online every year, helping them enjoy amazing tech.

They were told that, in the 'exceptionally rare circumstances' that a customer receives the incorrect order, Currys will always investigate to ensure things are put right.

Andrew has since received a full refund plus compensation.

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